A group of students from Belgrade in Serbia have completed the first phase of their engineering training in the United Arab Emirates and will now commence the next stage of their practical learning with Etihad Airways Engineering.

The students are from one of several batches of engineering trainees who have undertaken their training in the UAE. Italian and Seychellois graduates are also moving through the system and gaining experience with the UAE’s national carrier. Etihad Airways has strong links with Italy, the Seychelles and Serbia through its equity partnerships in Alitalia, Air Seychelles and Air Serbia.

The nine trainees will continue their experience in the engineering division of the Etihad Aviation Group (EAG). Etihad Airways Engineering currently provides airframe and component maintenance services, as well as supply chain management and design engineering to Etihad Airways, its equity partner airlines and third-party airlines.

The Graduate Engineering programmes are run in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. The course incorporates two years of theory training at the college, looking at areas such as aircraft maintenance and engineering development, before the trainees begin two years’ practical training with Etihad Airways Engineering to secure their licence. The licence is approved by both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “We’re growing Etihad Airways Engineering to ensure that we are recognised as a global leader in maintenance, repair and operations (MRO). This means the opportunities available to these graduates are unrivalled in the industry.

“Etihad Airways and its equity partners have one of the largest and fastest growing fleets in the world of aviation and the training programme allows them to secure a huge breadth of experience across aircraft fleets that include Airbus 320s, Boeing 777s, the new B787 Dreamliners and our A380s.”

Underlining the value and strength of the partnership, the students will spend the first six months of their practical training rotating in the workshop at the Etihad Airways Engineering Hangar at Abu Dhabi Airport, honing their skills and learning from advanced professionals in the division. From there they will commence work on the Etihad fleet moving through different aircraft, as well as gaining experience in different maintenance departments, to ensure their knowledge base is further enhanced, enabling them to complete the full course.